Savannah Honey Unveils Africa’s First Bee Venom Marketplace

Story by Ayubu John photo journalist Afrimedia Group news 
Kenya’s apiculture sector has received a major boost following the launch of Africa’s first organized Bee Venom Marketplace by Savannah Honey, in an event officiated by Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs.
The initiative marks a strategic shift from traditional honey production to high-value bee products such as venom, propolis, pollen, royal jelly and beeswax — positioning Kenya to tap into a global bee venom market currently valued at about US$370 million.
Savannah Honey CEO Kyalo Mutua said African farmers have long been unable to benefit from bee venom due to lack of structured markets, quality standards and coordination. The new marketplace aims to address these challenges by offering standardized collection methods, farmer training, traceability systems and guaranteed market access.
Under the model, a single hive can produce up to 10 grams of venom annually. With the company buying at KSh 4,000 per gram, a farmer with 20 hives could earn up to KSh 800,000 per year — significantly increasing incomes without requiring large land holdings.
“This is about value addition and transforming livelihoods,” Mutua said.
Cabinet Secretary Oparanya welcomed the initiative, saying it aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritizes MSME growth, job creation and enterprise development.
“MSMEs are central to economic transformation because they create the majority of employment, especially for youth and women,” he said, adding that Kenya must shift from exporting raw materials to exporting finished, high-value products.
The CS noted that Kenya produces only a fraction of its domestic honey demand, forcing imports, and urged farmers to seize opportunities in high-value bee extracts. Global demand for bee-based pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients continues to rise, with projections showing steady market growth in the coming decade.
Savannah Honey has already conducted 40 county-level seminars to sensitize farmers and plans a nationwide rollout in partnership with the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Ministry of Agriculture. Farmers will receive modern hives, technical training, equipment support and structured off-take agreements.
Leaders also highlighted beekeeping as a climate-smart enterprise suitable for Kenya’s semi-arid regions, promoting pollination, biodiversity and sustainable land use.
The launch positions Kenya’s beekeeping sector for modernization and export growth, opening new income streams for smallholder farmers while strengthening the country’s value-addition agenda.

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